Hunting Ospreys

Observing an osprey on a hunt is one of the most stunning experiences on this tour, which takes you through the lake area between Prieros and Storkow. The bird dives down and grabs its victim in the water and, as it does so, quite often reaches a speed of 80 kilometres per hour. It then proudly returns to its nest with its catch. With a bit of luck, cyclists will be able to marvel at this spectacle more than once: the countryside around Groß Schauen has one of the highest numbers of ospreys in the whole of Germany. And if you are not lucky enough to spot one of these birds, at least you will be able to tell a story about an encounter with an eagle. On the premises of the Köllnitz fish farm near Storkow, a screen shows you the goings-on in a nest not far away. The foundation of the animal filmmaker Heinz Sielmann, who died in 2006, had a camera installed there. Its images form the perfect finishing touch to all the other impressions, such as the observation towers, the “Salzwanderweg” salt hiking trail and the "Gläserne Molkerei Münchehofe" dairy. Length: 51 kilometresStart/finish: StorkowLogo/route sign: not specifiedHow to get there:Train: From Berlin Ostkreuz, take the RB24 (Senftenberg) to Königs Wusterhausen and then take the RB36 (Frankfurt/Oder) to Storkow (about 1 hour).Car: From Berlin via the A10 and A12 to Storkow (about 1 hour).Route: Storkow, Groß Schauen, Görsdorf, Kolberg, Prieros, Hermsdorf, Münchehofe, Groß Eichholz, Schwerin, Bugk, Groß Schauen, StorkowPoints of interest/background information:Storkow: Visitor information centre in the castle with permanent exhibition “Mensch und Natur - eine Zeitreise” (man and nature - a journey through time)Prieros: Head office of the “Dahme-Heideseen” Nature Park administration, Heimathaus (local history museum), organic garden, Botanic Gardens, stud farm, Hotel “Cellino” and Kunstraum Prieros studio (bicycle hotel with gallery, garden, café directly by the Dahme Cycle Path)Eco-community Münchehofe with Gläserne Molkerei dairyKöllnitz fish farm: Fishing museumKolberg: Casino am See and Teamgeist.com (water sports and team facilities)Possible combinationsDahme Cycle PathOder-Spree TourTrail conditions/surface: not specifiedMaps/Literature: “Große Radwander- und Wanderkarte Naturpark Dahme-Heideseen: Ausflüge zwischen Märkisch Buchholz, Teupitz, Königs Wusterhausen und Storkow (Mark)”, 1:35000, Barthel Verlag, Auflage: 3 (1. Juni 2015), ISBN-13: 978-3895910920, Euro 5.90